ES2666696T3 - Smoking machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular smoking system comprising, a carousel module (10) comprising an essentially annular carousel, a plurality of ports of the smoking article (20) for receiving articles for smoking, so that the smoking article extends radially inwards from the carousel, and a plurality of analysis ports (30), the carousel has an internal surface (13) and an external surface (15) radially separated from the internal surface (13), in which a plurality of flow channels Identically sized aerosol (55) are defined through the carousel, each aerosol flow channel (55) extends radially through the carousel between a port of the smoking article (20) located on the inner surface (13) of the carousel and an analysis port (30) located on the outer surface (15) of the carousel, and at least one aerosol analysis module (100, 110) located radially outside the outer surface (15) of the carousel and coupled to an analysis port (30) for the analysis of an aerosol generated by a smoking article coupled to a smoking article port (20).

Description

image 1

image2

image3

image4

image5

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

60

It is a schematic diagram showing the possible additional modules, which can be used in various combinations.

The carousel 10 rotates by means of the transmission module 150. The transmission module can be a stepper motor or servo motor that rotates the inner ring 12. The transmission module is controlled by the automation module

410. The automation module includes software for executing a programmable logic controller or microprocessor. Another control module is the configuration module, which comprises software that runs on a microprocessor to perform automatic system configuration.

The analysis modules 100, 110 are shown together with other modules on the outer side of the carousel. Pump module 120 is used to aspirate air through the smoking article. The pump module may comprise a single piston or may comprise a double piston to achieve continuous smoking. The pump module is controlled by the automation module to provide a desired puff profile. Dilution module 130 is used to dilute a continuous stream of aerosol to achieve an objective concentration. Dilution can be achieved in a single stage

or in several stages. The waste module 140 collects the products of the waste analysis.

On the inner side of the carousel, there are a plurality of additional modules that can be used. These modules are further controlled by the automation module 410. The ignition module 320 ignites the smoking article in accordance with an ignition protocol. The ignition can be carried out when the smoking article is in the carousel or can be carried out before the smoking article is loaded in the carousel. Depending on the type of smoking article, different ignition methods can be used. Load module 310 loads the smoking article in the carousel. The smoking article may be a cigarette, or an electronic smoking device, or a smoking device with a cigarette. The collection and placement module 300 transports the smoking article from an ignition or product handling module to the charging module 310. For reusable smoking articles, the collection and placement module 300 can also return the smoking article to the device management module after use. The device handling module 360 removes the smoking devices from the carousel and can perform operations such as battery charging, device verification, and refilling. The expulsion module 330 verifies if the expulsion conditions are met and then ejects the smoking article. If a device management module is included in the system, then the eject module can eject cigarettes from the devices. Otherwise, the ejection unit can eject the smoking articles directly from the smoking ports. The side stream module 340 controls the air flow around the smoking article and evacuates the smoke from the side stream. The feeding module 370 contains a limited number of smoking articles for one smoked. A smoke can be the action of smoking an article for smoking up to a smoke of several hours per day to allow acute, chronic or subchronic exposure of cells

or animals The feeding module supports this by providing a capacity in line with the duration of smoking. The power module releases items for smoking on demand from the system.

The waste module 350 collects the ashes of the smoking articles and collects the butts of the used smoking article inside a waste container.

A graphical user interface module (GUI) 440 is provided to allow a user to control and configure the system, and data. The GUI module may also require user access passwords.

Data modules are provided to record and transfer data from the smoking machine. The database module 510 captures data obtained from the analysis modules and the operation of the other modules. A data transfer module 520 can be provided to automatically transfer the captured data, or portions of the captured data, to an external database.

A consumable supply module can also be included. A consumable supply module comprises a central connection for the supply of consumables with a distribution grid and regulates the consumable that is supplied. For example, for compressed air it is a pipe connection with a simple connector to connect to the grid, a pressure regulator to establish and maintain pressure accurately and a distribution line with a plurality of connection points. Each module that needs compressed air has tubes with a simple connector that connects to the supply unit in case the module is installed in the system.

A safety module can also be used. The safety module contains a certified safety and, for example, light barriers or magnetic contacts, ensure that an operator is not exposed to hazards. The safety module ensures that the machine stops before the power source of the machine can affect the operator. The safety module may, for example, include SIRIUS 3SK1 Safety Relays marketed by Siemens AG, Industry Automation Control Components and Systems Engineering, Postfach 23 55, 90713 Fürth, Germany. The illustrative modalities described above illustrate but are not limiting. Depending on the illustrative modalities discussed above, other modalities consistent with the above illustrative modalities will now be apparent to one skilled in the art.

7

Claims (1)

image 1 image2